Graduate Research
Jamie Jindra
Bemidji State University
Educational Psychology
Spring 2010
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New Web 2.0 tools are popping up everywhere on the web. Web 2.0 tools can be
utilized in and outside the classroom. They are learning tools that almost everyone can take
advantage of, and best of all most of them are free! The only requirement is to have access to
the internet.
Animoto, Qlubb, and Scriblink are only three examples of Web 2.0 applications. The
applications allow you to make videos, set-up schedules and calendars, and scribble online all
while learning and having fun! All three applications are described below as to how the
applications demonstrate a need for the technology, how the application addresses the needs
of intended population, any specific considerations to take into account in terms of the
implementation of this material, and what learning outcomes could be assessed for students
using this tool.
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Animoto
Animoto is a Web 2.0 tool that teachers can utilize in their classrooms. Animoto is
similar to power point, but it does the work for you! Animoto creates a music video, and the
only work the user has to do is upload photos and a song of choice. The application is free, but
is limited to creating only a 30 second video length. The cost to upgrade is $30.00 a year for
longer video clip length, longer video length, and an opportunity to create DVD quality movies
at $5.00 per video. Educators are able to get an all-access pass for free! Slideshows will not be
restricted in length. Students under the age of 13 have to be using teacher created accounts,
you can share the activation link with your students so they are able to activate this tool.
Animoto is “produced on a widescreen format and the videos have the visual energy of a music
video and the emotional impact of a movie trailer” (Animoto.com). If you don’t care for the
piece that is created, you can submit the same photos and song and animoto will re-create the
video. No two videos are ever the same.
Is There a Need For This Technology?
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Woolfolk suggests “long term memory is stored as either visual images or verbal units,
or both” (p. 246) Animoto is visual and verbal, and may helpful to students. Students would be
able to utilize technology while creating short bios or science projects. This is a fun tool to
engage students, but there hasn’t been any evidence to enhance test scores, as this is a new
tool to educators.
Learning Needs
Animoto may help with long-term memory consciously and unconsciously. “Semantic
memory is memory for meaning, including words, facts, theories, and concepts” (Woolfolk, p.
245). If a student is able to see and listen to the information, this may help the student to
develop meaning. The student will not have to remember every detail, but take away the
proposition. This should help to trigger one’s memory and do it unconsciously.
Specific Considerations
Animoto can be used by students in grade school all the way through high school.
Standard 2F from The Standards of Effect Practice would help teachers enhance student
learning since it links new ideas to familiar ideas, and would be able to help make a connection
to a students experience. Students are able to utilize their personal experiences and apply them
to learning experiences. One consideration for using Animoto in the classroom is making sure
the students stay on task. They may need reminders that in school this tool will be used for
education purposes, and they are welcome to make their own videos at home. This may be
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time consuming for the students to take pictures and upload them, or upload pictures from the
internet. Some students may not have access to a computer or a digital camera.
Learning Outcomes
Animoto can be helpful in a photography class as a way of using technology for
production skills and techniques in expressing their work through online technology. Students
would be able to take pictures of what they feel is art, and add their style of music that fits the
photos.
This web tool would be useful in helping students with emotional behavior disorders
express themselves, as “students with emotional behavior disorders frequently break the rules
and push limits” (woolfolk p. 138). This would be a helpful break in the day for students to learn
and show their emotion through music and pictures!
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References
Byrne, R. (2008). Animoto vs. Photostory 3 – Side-by-Side Comparison.
//http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2008/05/animoto-vs-photostory-3-sidebyside.html//
Glasser, Mark (2008). Cheap Editing Tools a Boon for Media Makers. Retrieved from
www.pbs.org/
Unknown Author. (2010). Animoto. Retreived from http://animoto.com/
Woolfolk, Anita (2010. Educational Psychology, (11th Edition). Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey: Merril.
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Qlubb
Qlubb is a Web 2.0 application that allows teachers, students, and parents to stay
communicated with everything that is happening in the classroom. Group interaction is easy by
using this one site and only a couple of clicks to join. The best part is that it is free! Teachers can
use qlubb to show dates of upcoming events, sign-up sheets for parents to volunteer or for
student projects and assignment, reminders, bulletin boards and much more!
Is there a need for this technology?
Parents have hectic schedules, but qlubb makes it easier for parents to stay updated with
their children’s schoolwork and be able to meet and get to know other parents before meeting
them in person. Qlubb keeps everyone on the same page. “The users on qlubb have over a 90%
participation and usage of their member” (qlubb.com).
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How does this technology address what we know about specific learning needs of intended
population?
An elementary class has around 20-30 students, and qlubb would give all the students a
chance to interact with everyone in the classroom and have their assignments clearly stated on
qlubb so there is not any confusion. “At the secondary-school level, teachers must meet with
over 100 students who use dozen of materials and often change rooms” (Woolfolk, pg. 422).
This gives the students a chance to look at qlubb if they forgot what they needed to bring for
tomorrows class or what assignment is due or when the next test is. Some students may have
forgot their calendar of notes at school, this gives the student a chance to keep panic mode at a
lower level if they have access to the internet.
Are there any considerations a teacher should make?
One drawback to this is if students or parents have limited or no access to the internet
or computer outside of school. If this happens, the teacher will need to take into consideration
these students or parents. The teacher may offer some suggestions of using the local library or
a friend’s house that has access to the internet. If this is not possible then using qlubb may not
benefit everyone, and e teacher may be required to send out the material placed qlubb in hard
copy home with the student.
Another concern may be if parents do not use qlubb for various reasons, one is the
parents who chose not to use qlubb. These parents may not pay attention to hard copies sent
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home with the students or return phone calls from the teacher so this will not directly affect
the outcome of qlubb as a classroom.
Qlubb would help with Standard 4D of Effective Practice. This means the teacher
enhances learning through a wide variety of materials and human and technology resources
(Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice). Offering classroom materials and group
interaction through technology is one way of meeting Standard 4D. Students will learn problem
solving through qlubb and learn new technology as well!
Resources
Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. (2010, April 23, 2010). Minnesota Administrative
Rules. 8710.2000 Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers. Retrieved from
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=8710.2000
Unknown Author. (2010). Qlubb. Retrieved from http://www.qlubb.com
Woolfolk, Anita (2010). Educational Psychology, (11th Edition). Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey: Merril.
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Scriblink
Scriblink is an online Web 2.0 tool used as an online whiteboard. Scriblink is eco-friendly
as you do not need paper to draw or write on. No, I am not talking about writing on the walls,
but using your computer to draw online and save, e-mail, and post your work. Sriblink is a free
application and only takes minutes to register. You can share with others or keep your work to
yourself. Others are only able to see your work if you invite them to look at your work. Images
can be uploaded and hundreds of colors are available to draw with. Scriblink is all about
collaboration. Whether you're here for fun or more practical things like layout planning,
concept diagramming, or tutoring a friend in math (Scriblink.com). Scriblink allows you to use a
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microphone to communicate while online (if your computer has a microphone), along with
chatting while working on Scriblink.
Is there a need for this technology?
People are trying to become more “green” in this world. What a better way to help save
the universe and work online to produce your drawings. Is this a need? Maybe not a need, but a
really cool way to express your feelings through your work while online.
How does this address what we know about learning needs?
“Creativity is more than just art; it often involves more than one person, happens when
people apply their abilities as a part of a helpful process in a supportive environment, and
results in an identifiable product that is new and useful in a particular culture or situation”
(Woolfolk, pg. 288). Scriblink can allow students to be creative and collaborate with one
another.
Standard 4L of Effective Practice can be utilized to help use educational technology to
broaden student knowledge about technology, to deliver instruction to students at different
levels and paces, & to stimulate advanced levels of learning (SEP 4L). Students will learn how to
write and draw by using technology. Scriblink can utilize many levels of learning. Students could
be given an assignment to upload, and draw on the uploaded picture, or one as simple as
drawing your name with different colors.
What are the specific considerations for teachers?
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Teachers need to make sure the students understand how to use the internet, and have
access to the internet. While working with autistic students, many of them have the inability to
communicate. Scriblink may help autistic students to communicate by drawing their needs or
feelings while using modern day technology!
Resources
Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. (2010, April 23, 2010). Minnesota Administrative
Rules. 8710.2000 Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers. Retrieved from
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=8710.2000
Unknown Author. (2010). Scriblink LLC. Retrieved from http://www.scriblink.com
Woolfolk, Anita (2010). Educational Psychology, (11th Edition). Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey: Merril.
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